Countdown to extinction: Animals in danger

by David Burnie. Published by Oxford University Press 2008

An attractively presented book with a strong conservation message this is a useful introduction to the topic of extinction and man’s role in it.
Each page opening is a separate sub-topic and is a blend of short paragraphs, photographs, and fact boxes. Eye-catching messages sprinkled through the pages draw the reader into the text. E.g ‘Smuggled birds often die before they reach their destination’; ‘500 million rabbits threaten Australia’s native wildlife.’
New Zealand has its own page under the heading ‘Land of the Moas’ with segments on moa, tuatara, weta, kiwi and takahe.
A good browse book for reluctant readers.


Reviewed by Melva